Accrington Stanley

Harris signs new Stanley contract
Accrington midfielder Jay Harris has signed a new two-year deal to extend his stay at the Fraser Eagle Stadium. Harris made 35 appearances in Accrington's first season back in the Football League, scoring twice. The 20-year-old, a product of Everton's academy system, joined Stanley in the summer of 2006. He spent seven years at Goodison Park, first as a schoolboy, then a trainee before signing professional terms - and played regularly for Everton reserves.

Accrington boss issues cash plea
Accrington Stanley chairman Eric Whalley says the club needs new investment if it is to prosper. In 2006 they returned to the league after 44 years but have struggled to increase their fan-base, and sold just 118 adult season tickets this year. "If we do not get more people through the turnstiles it could end up as it did in 1962 when it couldnit afford the washing or telephone bill," he said. "There must be a local business wanting to invest in such a historic club." Whalley, who has been chairman since 1995, has provided major financial backing for Accrington to keep the club debt-free. Stanley have also run a number of promotional offers, including free admission for a game in March, to increase crowds which averaged 2000 last season. But Whalley, who saw less than 1,500 come through the gate for Saturday's home defeat by Peterborough, is looking for a fresh injection of capital to avoid just treading water. He added: "We want to be ambitious. We don't just want to just exist in this league - I don't see the point in that. "We want to get promotion and progress and we need to generate funding for this. "It is a fact that we have the lowest gates in the league, the poorest facilities and we are depending on income from other means, like sponsors and corporate hospitality to push things forward. "We are working on that but we need another investor. Apart from Bradford City, who have offered special incentives, we are the cheapest club for season tickets or to pay on the door but people, for whatever reason, aren't coming so we will have to look elsewhere." He said he hoped the club's history could help them attract some new backing. "No-one can take away that we are founder members of the Football League."

Stanley striker rejoins Rochdale
Accrington Stanley striker Lee McEvilly has returned to former club Rochdale on loan until the end of the season. He began a second spell at Stanley this summer after leaving Wrexham but has started just three games. His lack of first-team football has lead manager John Coleman to allow the 25-year-old to return to Spotland. McEvilly, who will not be allowed to play against Accrington, scored 25 times in 85 league games for Rochdale in a two-and-a-half year spell. The striker has one cap for Northern Ireland but has had little success in recent seasons.

Accrington bag Sunderland striker
Sunderland midfielder Billy Dennehy has joined Accrington Stanley on loan until the start of January. The 20-year-old left-sided player has spent two years at the Stadium of Light but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Black Cats. However, he impressed Stanley boss John Coleman in a midweek reserve team game for Stanley and has now completed a move to the League Two side. Dennehy has also represented his home county of Kerry in Gaelic Football.

Surgery rules out Stanley skipper
Accrington Stanley captain Peter Cavanagh is to have a hernia operation which will keep him out of action for up to four weeks. The defender, 26, will undergo surgery on Wednesday before going to Lilleshall for a period of rehabilitation. Stanley boss John Coleman hopes he will then be fit to return in time for the Christmas programme. Cavanagh, who started his career with Liverpool, has played 263 games for Accrington since joining in 2001.

Accrington re-sign Todd on loan
Accrington Stanley have re-signed winger Andy Todd on a one-month loan from Rotherham. Todd joined Stanley on loan from Burton in January 2006 before making the move permanent in the summer. The 28-year-old played in every league game for Stanley last season before joining Rotherham in the summer. However, he has been restricted to just 12 starts for the Millers and returned to Accrington in time to play in their New Year's Day defeat to Bradford City.

Mullin agrees new Accrington deal
Accrington Stanley striker Paul Mullin has ended speculation about his future by committing himself to the club. League Two rivals Shrewsbury had agreed a fee of £75,000 for the 33-year-old, who has scored 11 times this season. But Mullin turned down the Shrews and has now reached agreement on a new two-year contract with Stanley. He has been with the club since August 2001, when he joined from Radcliffe Borough, and has since scored 85 times in 211 appearances in all competitions.

Accrington sign Blackburn's King
Accrington Stanley have signed defender Mark King from Premier League neighbours Blackburn Rovers. The 19-year-old left-back has joined Stanley on a free transfer and agreed a deal until the end of the season. King impressed Stanley boss John Coleman when his side played Blackburn in a friendly in December. The Liverpool-born player came through Blackburn's youth system to earn a professional contract, but did not make a senior appearance at Ewood Park.

Accrington bag defender Doughty
Accrington Stanley have completed the signing of defender Phil Doughty on a one-month loan arrangement from neighbours Blackpool. Doughty has just completed a month's stay at Macclesfield Town, where he was offered a permanent move. But the 21-year-old has instead opted to move to the Fraser Eagle Stadium. Meanwhile, Stanley striker Lee McEvilly, 25, has completed his loan move to Cambridge United, where he will stay until the end of the season.

Stanley striker moves to MK Dons
League Two leaders MK Dons have added to their squad by signing Accrington Stanley striker John Miles on loan until the end of the season. The 26-year-old is well known to Dons manager Paul Ince having played under him at Macclesfield. Miles then moved to Stanley last summer but is yet to score this season. Meanwhile, Accrington striker and record appearance-maker Paul Mullin, 33, has now signed the new 18-month deal he recently agreed with the club.

Homesick Boco leaves Accrington
Accrington midfielder Romuald Boco has left the club after his contract was terminated by mutual consent, after more than two years in Lancashire. The 22-year-old has been away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Benin and, following talks, the player and the club agreed to part company amicably. Stanley manager John Coleman told SSB: "He went home last season with an injury. "And I think that was the start of him being homesick, he felt lonely here." Boco joined Stanley in 2005 and helped Stanley win the Conference title before scoring their first goal in the Football League for over 40 years against Barnet a year later. Coleman said: "I thanked him and gave him a hug. He's been vital to where the club finds itself today. When he first came he was exciting, a breath of fresh air, someone who I think will be missed." Born in France, Boco came over to England and impressed the Stanley manager in a friendly match against Morecambe. However, a back injury forced him out of the team last season and Coleman has said that is where the problems started. "He's a lovely lad and deep down I want the best for him and you don't want to see people upset and you don't want to be contributing to that. We did what was best for everyone concerned really." Boco has made 88 appearances and scored eight goals during his time in English football.

Coleman angered by negative fans
Accrington boss John Coleman has urged a section of supporters who booed the players after the 3-0 defeat by Lincoln City to get behind the club. "When you're walking off to some fans spouting that that was rubbish... well if that's rubbish I don't know what's good," Coleman told SSB. "I can understand people saying the result's rubbish, but the performance wasn't rubbish," he added. Stanley are 17th in League Two and travel to Brentford on Saturday. Coleman was also concerned with the officiating of Greater Manchester referee Anthony Taylor and his two linesmen. He said: "You work hard in training to do things right and we were let down on numerous occasions. "They didn't put the last two goals in the net but they gave them a big lift."

Accrington defeat under scrutiny
Accrington's 2-0 defeat by Bury on Saturday will be looked at by the Football Association amid allegations of unusual betting on the game. Some bookmakers stopped taking bets on the League Two match on Friday after a high number of bets on Bury to win. FA director of communications Adrian Bevington said: "We will look very closely at the information the bookmakers provide. "We'll take any subsequent action with the Football League and the two clubs." Accrington chief executive Rob Heys responded by saying the club would "co-operate fully" with any investigation. ""We will speak to the relevant bodies at the FA and we will co-operate fully with any investigation, should one take place," he said. "If there is any evidence of any wrongdoing, the people involved will be severely dealt with." Andy Bishop scored both goals as the visitors won Saturday's clash 2-0, and Stanley boss John Coleman refuted allegations that some of his players had been out on a stag party the night before the game. After the loss, he said: "It's rubbish. There were rumours flying around about a stag do but it is not true. "We gave our very best for 90 minutes." Bury are thought to be seeking legal advice on the issue before making any comment.

Stanley pull off double loan deal
Accrington Stanley have signed Rochdale forward Kallum Higginbotham and Peterborough defender Kieran Charnock on one-month loan deals. Higginbotham, 19, has made four appearances for Dale this term and can play as a striker or winger. 24-year-old Charnock was part of Peterborough's promotion-winning squad last season but has recently fallen out of favour at London Road. Charnock played for Peterborough last week due to international call-ups but told Radio Lancashire he does not have a long-term future at London Road under boss Darren Ferguson. "I got a chance to play and thought I had a decent game, but I'm still on the transfer list," he said. "I knew I wouldn't be playing this week. My chances are going to be limited at Peterborough so I'm happy to come out and play some games. "He has helped me out looking for clubs which he didn't have to do - he knows I want to come back to the North West, so who knows what can happen from here." Meanwhile, Higginbotham said: "I want to come here to prove to the gaffer at Rochdale I'm still capable - I didn't really have a good pre-season so that's why I lost my place."

More charges in Gerrard bar case
Two footballers have been charged over the same incident in a Merseyside bar which saw Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard accused of assault. Accrington Stanley's goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, and midfielder Robert Grant, 18, have both been charged with affray, said police. Gerrard, 28, was charged over the attack in the Lounge Inn in Southport in the early hours of 29 December. The England player is on bail and due to re-appear in court on 20 March. Gerrard said he intended to plead not guilty to the charge when he came before magistrates last month. Two other men, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19, both from Huyton, face the same charges as the midfielder. Merseyside Police have also charged Paul McGrattan, of Linden Drive, Huyton, with affray and assaulting a police officer. Mr Grattan, along with the two League Two players will appear before North Sefton Magistrates Court on Monday. Two other men, a 33-year-old from Huyton and an 18-year-old from Roby, Merseyside, remain on bail pending further inquiries. A 34-year-old man from Southport suffered facial injures in the incident at the Lounge Inn.

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